Sports

Chargers snare Mike McCoy in hunt for new head coach

ByTHE DENVER POST

Posted:
01/18/2013 09:40:36 AM MST

Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy and quarterback Peyton Manning on the sidelines during the first half of the game against Kansas City Sunday at Sports Authority Field. Steve Nehf, The Denver Post
(
Steve Nehf
)

Calling it "the right move at the right time," former Broncos offensive coordinator Mike McCoy was introduced as the San Diego Chargers' head coach Tuesday.

The announcement capped a whirlwind courtship operated at the speed of the league's best no-huddle offenses as McCoy went from interview to on the job in less than 24 hours.

When introduced in San Diego, McCoy promised to help "build a team to win over the long haul."

"We had a great meeting (Monday) afternoon, and they offered me a job (Monday) afternoon," McCoy said by phone Tuesday night. "I just had to talk to (wife) Kelly about it and the kids and make sure it was the best thing for us. But we had no doubt, none at all."

It is the second time in two years an AFC West team has swooped in to snatch a member of John Fox's coaching staff. Last season, the Oakland Raiders hired Broncos defensive coordinator Dennis Allen. Tuesday morning, McCoy told Broncos' officials, including Fox and executive vice president of football operations John Elway, he would accept the Chargers' four-year offer.

McCoy, 40, who canceled a second interview with the Cardinals on Tuesday, had interviewed with the Cardinals, Eagles and Bears and was a candidate for the Jaguars. McCoy had interviewed with the Jaguars and Dolphins after the 2011 season, but those jobs went to Mike Mularkey and Joe Philbin, respectively.

McCoy said the presence of four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Philip Rivers factored into the decision.

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"Without a doubt, he's a talented player. It's always nice to have a quarterback like him on your football team," McCoy said, adding he felt an immediate comfort level with newly hired general manager Tom Telesco and team president Dean Spanos.

McCoy was a prime candidate for several openings because of the success he had with two vastly different quarterbacks and offenses for the Broncos in less than a calendar year. The Broncos led the NFL in rushing in 2011 after Tim Tebow was inserted into the starting lineup six games into the season to eventually run a read-option based offense.

This season, with Peyton Manning behind center, the Broncos re-tooled the playbook and finished the regular season fourth in the NFL in yards per game (397.9) and No. 2 in scoring (30.1 points per game). The Patriots and the Broncos were the only two teams to average at least 30 points per game.

"It's a great opportunity," McCoy said. "Coach Fox, John Elway, Mr. Bowlen did a lot to help me ... grateful for the opportunity I had there and grateful for the opportunity I have here."

McCoy's departure means quarterback Peyton Manning will have a change in his offensive play-caller for the second time in two seasons. Veteran assistant Tom Moore was Manning's play-caller for 13 of Manning's seasons as a starter with the Colts. The Colts made a change when they didn't renew Moore's contract in 2011, but Manning missed that season after neck surgery.

Asked this week how the Broncos would proceed, if they would keep the same playbook or retool once again with a new play-caller, Fox said: "No different than when Dennis (Allen) left a year ago. I think that worked out all right. I don't have any reasons to think any different."

The Broncos have won back-to-back AFC West titles and finished the regular season at 13-3 as the AFC's top seed before losing 38-35 in double overtime to the Ravens on Saturday.